Regenerative Medicine

Disease modeling

A major goal of this subtheme is understanding the molecular and cellular origin of disease through studies on animals and advanced human cell, tissue, and organ models. Clinical and basic researchers collaborate with overarching technologies to advance knowledge on why diseases affect some individuals more than others.

In vitro models allow us to investigate why drugs are not effective in all patients, are sex-specific or patients become refractive, and whether new disease targets can be identified that would lead to new therapeutic strategies. However, we must generate better, and when necessary, more complex, models not only containing cells of the tissue of interest but also blood- and lymph vessels, inflammatory and immune cells, and biophysical constraints. This is important to mimic the physical stretch and strain of lungs, kidneys, heart, and muscles under microfluidic flow.

In vitro models allow us to investigate why drugs are not effective in all patients, are sex-specific or patients become refractive, and whether new disease targets can be identified that would lead to new therapeutic strategies. However, we must generate better, and when necessary, more complex, models not only containing cells of the tissue of interest but also blood- and lymph vessels, inflammatory and immune cells, and biophysical constraints. This is important to mimic the physical stretch and strain of lungs, kidneys, heart, and muscles under microfluidic flow.

We focus on the validation of the human models and comparison with manifestations of the disease in animal models and patients. The 3Rs (reduction, replacement, refinement) of animal experiments is among LUMC’s objectives. However, implementation and acceptance are only realistic if the human models provide at least equivalent or preferably better information on disease mechanisms and targets and are at the same time amenable for screening new therapies.

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